Mendel, Herman

MENDEL

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 10/3/2008 at 13:56:01

Herman Mendel

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.190, Neola Twp.)
Herman Mendel, merchant, Neola, was born in Holstein, Germany, March 11, 1846, and came to America when twenty-one years of age. After clerking for two years in the city of New York, he came to Council Bluffs, Iowa in July, 1869, and soon after, entered the employ of Langdon Bros., dealers in groceries and liquors. In December, 1869, he came to Neola and opened the first mercantile establishment in the place, buying the first load of corn ever sold there. The business was started with a capital of about $300, and was conducted under the firm name of H. Mendel & Co. In 1870, Thomas McGrew became a partner, and the firm continued, under the name of McGrew & Mendel, until 1874, when Mr. Mendel sold his interest to his partner, and, with Mr. Roane, started a similar business in his present location. The firm of Mendel & Roane continued until 1876, when Mr. Mendel became sole proprietor, and has since conducted business under the name of H. Mendel. In 1881, he visited his father, who lives in Germany, and is seventy-two years old. November 18, 1875, Mr. Mendel married Miss Augusta Burke, born in Ohio about 1851, daughter of John Burke, a resident of Freeport, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Mendel have two children - Gracie and Max. Mr. Mendel is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics is a Democrat.